New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-05

approved have given a considerable measure OF relief
10 the gas consumers Of the city Of NewYort, without
70 lar az can be discovered doing Injustice to the
companies. The bill which disapproved not
only seriously defective in many respects, but 1t
tab-hcd SPECIAL commission for that city alone,
faher than State Commission, and was, therefore,
clearly Objectionable. 1t also conferred upon such
local commission certain extraordinary and dangerous
powers.
Is suggested that the public demand for the
ioh Oh any abuses which may still exist, and which
nave not amady been entirely rcmelie may be me- by
,he passage of measure, not local in its character,
pue pioNhng for the appointment OF q State Com
mission, with power. under reasonable restrictions,
70 regulate and control the management of all gas
companies throughout the State, to investigate all
oNcfcharges and other complaints; to report Its In
NesugauonS to tho Legislature. and In general, to
possess over gas cJnpan es powers somewhat similar
10 thoso which the Railroad Commission Of the State
mas over railroad mpanies such commission to be
maintained without cost TO the State, but at the OK
Pch,c OF the gas companies, In manner analogous
% that In which the Insurance Department and tho
tdiiOa1 Commission are now supported. IL 10 be-
eve1 that such measure, carefully perfected in its
octlls, as its Importance requires, and aiming TO do
exact Justice between the companies and the con-
suners and protecting each in fair and equitable
manner would meet with no olposit on from any
source, and relieve the legislature from the annu
clamor for SPECIAL legislation. and at afford
satisfactory solution Of many difficult question
pertaining to this subject.
The proprety of framing the proposed measure, so
az TO include within Its prov isons all ,ctric and
Othcr lighting companies, is also suggested for your
consideration.
THE INTERESTS OF LABOR
Your attention is especially invited to tho subject
OF the relations OF labor the State and It is hoped
that 1t may receive such wise and judicons consdera
non as its merits and the Increasing interest which
ia discussion everywhere evokes, would seem to
demand at your hands
10 Is Useless to shut eyes to the fact that tbere
seems 10 be a growing scontent among the industrial
classes at least in certain portions Of the state, and
especially in our large cites and 1t is the province OF
hose entrusted with authority to endeayor to alleviate
and pacify il.
1t Is not believed that there exists any desire on
INC part OF intelligent wchIngmcn to overturn
INC foundations OF society 10 imperil the peace
and good orier OF the State Their true interest
les IN tho prescvatlOn Of our free institutions, IN
ths security Of property and the protection of char
trei well individual rights. They seek the
correct Of the OF labor but net by violence,
anarchy. agrariani-m communism They naturally
ami properly desire TO ben"ht their condition IN life.
mr. clled by honest puToses and an enl ghtened self
interest Inherent in ontcrprsng AMI progressive
man They have no form Of government or Orsim
nton Il society 10 suggest, inconsistent with tho
welfare q oil The people nor do they demand IN
their behalf any vague and lncomprehensibe schemes
Of UtopLn progrss.
What the thoughtful worlslngmon Of the state want
is not glittering Gtnenll.cs or Dnc spun theoues,
but practical measures Of relief. It should be our
aim 81 udy their wants, 70 respectfully and aten-
uNoy listen To their complaints, to dlspassonately
discuss Their proposed projects, and in kindly spirit
Their fancied grievances It Is believed that more
generous recognition OF their claims TO public posi-
tons would not only famariZe them with the duties
and res onsbiitcs OF public trusts, and quicken telr
rcl zathn OF the difficulties involved In Attempting
furnish panacca Tor all the evils Incident to society
hut would vel tend To bring about more harmonious
rclat on- between capital and labor and between AL
classes Of the people
IL is the growing impression, founded upon much
truth. that oilces too frequently sought By and
tesoncl uIOn wealthy men who obtain them by the
hmm = 18th.
real mer OF their own. This fact dscouragcs men OF
Moderate means from seeking official honors ana
creates the conviction In the minds Of worbngmen
tat public positions not within thclr reach
The prOprcty OF lcssening tho hours OF the daily
'ahOr OF wOrDinglncn. 50 far a. the same can be
properly rol regulated by law, l. mcnded
10 your careful consideration.
10 is the true policy OF the State 70 elevate and dug
Idfy labor. not By eXactng the greatest amount OF
toll that the mborng clas-e, are capable OF furnishing,
but by lcgt oily encouraging every honest effort
10 improve their condition. and requiring that only
reasonable hours OF labor shal constitute days work
Tor which full and adequate compensation should DC
rcciN ell.
The tact should be recognized that in all branches
of business, AMI In all the activities OF life, there is
rowing tendency toward greater relaxation from toll
and morc recreation, especially In certain seasons OF
year IL may bo safely asserted that where ten
persons took n vacation during the summer months
fifteen years ago, hundreds do and yearly tho
number Il increasing. While merchant banker
ministers, physicians, teachers and other business
mi professional take long vacations IN summer
OF winter. and sometimes in both such absences are
usually o,-ibc on the part OF mechanics and work
men, and any relief 10 them must come, If mt oil
In 'uced hours Of labor and more recreation NJ
their own homes. Labor saving machinery, The nj
III ance, 81 AMI the general I'M TOvcmcn or
% age, coupled with tho genius, skill AMI intelli-
rcncc Of our artisans and hbOTer have rendered unne
rssary the con-tint ard cXacting toll and the great
volume Of labor which characterized tho empty
ncnt- Of forefathcrs. and also have enabled IA
g. d-I cn-c with much Of the unrcmlttng cNcrtlons
hirh seemed 10 b. required even u few years ago.
The customs aud habits Of the people arc changing
with the growth IF the country, and all alike should
their Just shar Of the broeft' and advantages
which from tho changed condition If affairs and
from the results which mark the progress OF civilization.
The G gfIty Of labor can bat bc preserved by in
ssting that labor shall, be- better compensated. In
creased compensation will furnish greater facilities
for education. more comfortable homes moro contented
families AMI better opportunities for recreation, a.
well tnd Ia develop nOblcr aims and purposes on
tic part Of wOrngmen, greater interest In the peace
and prosperity Of the state. and higher ideas Of cu
lcnshp.
Co.,. crv i ono source Of discomfort. Oycrwork
poorly rccompenscd, Il another 1t H. therefore
uggetcd that the demand Of wage workers Tor shorter
hour auh increased COMPENSATION presents subject
entitled IN respectful consideration at your hands,
the end that such legislation may be- enacted as may
best aid tho accomplishment of such benign rcsuts
had the honor OF ing IN my first annual mes
-age In 1856 that: at evident that labor does not
receive its fair proportion Of the rewards which in
dusry and honesty cntitle it to share and the scntl
~, mt will hear repetition. TO provide remedy for
this inequitato condition OF affairs, in 50 far as IL
be corrected by the passage OF Just and wholesome
laws. may be deemed the duty as well as the pleasure
of the legislature
whether or not any reduction OF the hours Of daily
labor IL practicable or enforceable 10y statute, there
be no question to the power Of the Legislature
10 declare certain days 10 be legal holidays, and it
may be advisable 10 establish by law additional holi
days for the benefit OF all, and especially for those
who daily perform arluous and exacting labor, and
in that view TO designate every saturday. or the
half OF every saturday legal or public holidays
or half holidays
many branches OF business especially In our large
cities saturday afternoon practically regarded as
holiday active business substantially ceases at noon
that day and there would u be no reasonable OBJ
lection to extending this custom that IL should be le
gay applicable all kinds OF business and occupations,
aud afford much needed relief Ia large class OF deserv-
ing people IT, for any reason halfh0llday Is legally or
otherw Objectionable the whole of every Saturday or
every other Saturday could be thus set apart and such
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